BP 5141.22 – Infectious Diseases

The Governing Board desires to protect students from risks posed by exposure to infectious diseases while providing an appropriate education for all students. The Board recognizes that prevention and education are the most effective means of limiting the spread of infectious diseases.

Infectious Disease Prevention

The Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with parents/guardians and local health agencies and organizations to develop a comprehensive approach to disease prevention that promotes preventative measures and education of students and staff.

The Superintendent or designee shall regularly review resources available from health experts to ensure that District programs are based on the most up-to-date information.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the District’s comprehensive health education program provides information about the prevention of infectious diseases, including the nature of bloodborne pathogens and their transmission, as well as information to help prevent the spread of contagious diseases, such as a pandemic influenza. He/she shall also ensure that each school has sufficient infection prevention supplies that are easily accessible to staff.

Universal Precautions

Students and staff shall observe universal precautions in order to prevent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

The Superintendent or designee shall inform students of the precautions to be used in cases of exposure to blood or other body fluids through injury, accident, or classroom instruction.

Students with Infectious Diseases

The Superintendent or designee shall exclude students only in accordance with law, Board policy, and administrative regulation. Because bloodborne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are not casually transmitted, the presence of infectious conditions of this type is not, by itself, sufficient reason to exclude students from attending school.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to inform the Superintendent or designee if their child has an infectious disease so that school staff may work cooperatively with the student’s parents/guardians to minimize the child’s exposure to other diseases in the school setting. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that student confidentiality rights are strictly observed in accordance with law.

Legal Reference:

Education Code

48210-48216 Persons excluded

49073-49079 Privacy of pupil records

49403 Cooperation in control of communicable disease and immunization of pupils

49405 Smallpox control

49406 Examination for tuberculosis (employees)

49408 Information of use in emergencies

49602 Confidentiality of student information

51202 Instruction in personal and public health and safety

California Constitution

Article 1, Section 1 Right to Privacy

Civil Code

56-56.37 Confidentiality of Medical Information Act

1798-1798.76 Information Practices Act

Health And Safety Code

120230 Exclusion for communicable disease

120325-120380 Immunization against communicable diseases

120875-120895 AIDS information

120975-121022 Mandated blood testing and confidentiality to protect public health